Ripped Off and the Roar of Heaven

What a great picture of a precious daughter of the King who resides at a hotel in Holland, Michigan. The events of this day, as well as a host of other miracles, would not have happened, if Steve Grassmid’s tools weren’t ripped off by someone living at the hotel. Tools are everything for a contractor, but as Steve worked through the loss he was nudged by the Holy Spirit to respond not in anger, but to reach out in love. The Father’s Kingdom is truly upside down.

In God’s good providence Steve ran into Mike Verkaik, Oceans Ministries US ambassador, at Haven church and told Mike what the Holy Spirit was prompting. This divine appointment birthed a ministry at the Wooden Shoe motel that has continued for the last few years. Mike and Steve gathered people from various churches and this team has reached out with the love of the Father bringing meals each Tuesday night as well a providing prayer, counseling, tutoring, and a variety of other support.

Recently the team of volunteers led a Vacation Bible School for the kids living at the Wooden Shoe. Amber, one of the team members, shared this post:

I have some great news to share! We had the pleasure of leading 7 of these precious children to accept Jesus into their hearts this week!  We put on a VBS and came each night to sing songs, play games, do crafts, read the Bible, and learn about how awesome God is. Life is really hard for these kids, but they now have the hope of Jesus and a relationship with Him for the rest of their lives! They can trust that He will never fail them or leave them. 

 
A few months ago I prayed that God would give me a BURDEN for something He cares about and that He wanted me to be a part of. Well , He instantly highlighted the kids at the motel we have been serving food at on Tuesday nights. Some of our friends started this ministry and asked us if we wanted to help them. So we have been working along side them serving food to these people that call the motel their home. There are whole families that live in a single motel room. As you can imagine, there is a lot of hardship for these people and these kids. The kids have told us Tuesday is the best day of the week because they know they will always get a meal. Food is scarce and a simple meal is a luxury for these people. 

The other interesting thing is the manager of the motel is Hindu. We had to get his permission to do the VBS in the first place. We thought it was pretty amazing that he gave us the okay. Then his daughter’s were two of the seven that excepted Jesus into their hearts! We had hoped and prayed for this, but honestly didn’t believe this would happen. Once again God exceeded our expectations! Something I have realized lately is people are more eager for the hope we have in Jesus than we realize. In the past, I was more hesitant in talking to people about Jesus. I feared It was imposing and that I wasn’t qualified, along with many other excuses. On the flip side, what if we don’t?!?! I just won’t be silent anymore! A life with Jesus is the best life. I want others to experience this!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Can you hear the roar of Heaven? (Luke 15:10). I would call this a divine set up, planned before the foundation of the earth (Ephesians 1:4). The Father used stolen tools, a forgiving spirit, and Amber’s burdened heart. We are joining with all the angels in heaven giving praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for these 7 precious children of God that have been adopted into the Father’s Family.

May Amber’s words encourage each of us to keep walking in faith, to plant seeds of love, believing that in the Father’s perfect timing He will bring a glorious harvest in unexpected places.

*permission was granted by parents or guardians for pictures